CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Since the general public cannot be in all places at the same time, journalists through the media bring the world closest by reporting politics, sport, disasters even in far away China, UK, US, Russia e. t. c within some seconds. Isamuko, B. (2010)

Journalist is the nose, eye, mouth, ear of the public who help the public to see what is happening, to find-out where it is happening, to help public to ask question on what they want to know from the people involved and to feed them as quickly as possible. Isamuko, B. (2010)

Imagine a life without information, without news, without mass media and journalists.

Journalism is the collection, preparation and distribution of news and related commentary and feature materials through such media as pamphlets, newsletter, magazines, radio, motion pictures, television, the internet and books.

Journalism is one saddled with the responsibility of finding facts, writing news, editing news and other editorial materials that are worthy of public interest for presentation. Journalist work in a radio, television, newspaper, magazine, online news blog/ website e. t. c.

The earliest known journalist product was a newssheet in ancient Rome called the ACTA DIURNA published daily from 59 BC, it was hung in prominent places and recorded important social and political events.

Journalism in the 20th century was marked by a growing sense of professionalism. In our society today it has been observed that there is gender disparity in all quarters, mass media is not an exception yet women journalists have contributed significantly to the development and success of journalism locally and internationally especially in the broadcast media where they serve as newscasters, presenters and reporters.

The research will examine the attitude of secondary school students towards journalism as a career using students of Showlight International School Onitsha, as a case.

1.1.2  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SIS

Showlight International School Onitsha was founded in February, 1959 and sited at its present location in Iyeowa Odekpe.

The school was earlier planned for establishment in 1958, but for the government policy that somehow changed in favour of the establishment of Showlight International School Onitsha, the dream could not be realized for that year.

At the inception of the school, the Showlight International School Onitsha wanted to give quality education to the children of her members, mainly to allow the children of the poor to enjoy quality education at minimum cost. However, this golden opportunity was later extended to other denominations and as well as other religions circles with the principles motivation to provide sound and quality education for all attain an enviable feat by wining several academic awards for the good performance of its students.

1.4     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Basically, the study aims at finding out the attitude of secondary school students towards journalism as a career with the view to know the perception and opinions of students especially those in Art department about the course they have in mind to pursue and the reason.

1.5     PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The main purpose of the study is to examine theattitude of secondary school students to journalism as a career. Specific objectives include:

1.       To know weather students of SIS know anything about journalism.        

2.       To know the percentage of SIS students that prefer journalism as a career.

3.       To know the type of mass media that students of SIS prefer to work.

4.       To highlight some of the challenges facing students of SIS to choose journalism as career.

5.       To x-ray the contribution of school counselor in helping students of SIS to choose and mould their career.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTION

To answer the above objectives, the following questions will be answered:

i.        Do students of SIS know anything about journalism?

ii.       How many students of SIS prefer journalism as a career?

iii.      What influences the students toward chosen journalism as a career?

iv.      Which of the mass media are students prefer to work?

v.       Is their any challenge facing students of SIS to choose journalism as career?

vi.      Does school counselor help students of SIS to choose and mould their career?

1.5     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Based on the research question, the following research hypothesis were generated. In Nigeria, the major attitudes of secondary school students to journalism as a career today is not common. The participation of secondary school students to journalism as a career are influenced by beliefs, attitudes and behavior of individual in the society. The role played by secondary school students towards journalism as a career is rare.

1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is hoped that this research work will help education planner to determine the number of upcoming students into journalism.

It will also project to professional journalists how they are judged by the audience.

Parents will also benefit from the work by guiding and educating their children on their careers and expose them to some things that will help molding their careers.

It will also form part of the academic work that future researchers can rely on a as reference material.

1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This project has been designed and based on altitudes of senior secondary school students to journalism as a career.

The scope of this project concentrate on senior secondary students of case study to authenticate the attitudes of students to journalism as career. Giving brief history about the case study and various definition of journalism.

It also converse the literature review in which information from different authors basically on the project are gathered from journal from textbooks, journals, handout e.t.c. Relevant information from the case study will also be covered.

Majority those activities being carried out in Show light International School Onitsha concerning their attitude to journalism as a career.

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Attitude- This is the thinking or feeling which female mass communication students exhibits towards the practice of journalism.

Journalism: This is the professional job expected of every graduate of mass communication to practice which is the work of collecting writing and publishing of news stories, articles in Newspapers and magazines or broadcasting them on Radio and Television to inform the general public on things happening in the world

Career: This is a particular job or the type of Job one do in other to earn a living. Such as journalism for graduates of mass communication.